Micardis

Micardis is commonly used to help control high blood pressure in adults. By blocking the effects of a certain chemical, the medicine relaxes blood vessels and helps to lower blood pressure. Potential side effects of Micardis can include diarrhea, sinusitis, back pain, and upper respiratory infection. The medication comes in tablet form and is available in several different strengths.

What Is Micardis?

Micardis® (telmisartan) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults. It is also approved to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or related deaths in people at high risk for such problems that cannot take angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, also known as ACE inhibitors (ACE inhibitors would be the preferred treatment for most people).

Who Makes It?

Micardis is manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim.

How Does It Work?

Micardis is part of a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers, or ARBs for short. It blocks angiotensin II receptors (hence, its classification as an angiotensin II receptor blocker). This decreases the effectiveness of a chemical known as angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow (constrict). By blocking the effects of angiotensin II, Micardis causes blood vessels to relax, which can lower blood pressure.

Effects of Micardis

A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example: 120/80. The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. During clinical studies in people taking Micardis 80 mg, systolic blood pressure decreased, on average, by 12 to 13 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure decreased by 7 to 8 mmHg, on average. Lower doses of the drug resulted in a smaller drop in blood pressure.

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